10-Minute Super Easy Microwave Pork Belly (Suyuk) Recipe: Te
This is a *suyuk* (수육, boiled pork belly) recipe that uses thick pork belly, cooked moist and tender in just 10 minutes in the microwave, without needing a pot. We also introduce accompanying chive *geotjeori* (겉절이, spicy chive salad) and thinly sliced pork belly and bean sprout steam.
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This is a recipe for succulent suyuk (boiled pork belly slices), cooked moistly in just 10 minutes in the microwave without a pot. It uses thick pork belly and can be served with fresh chive salad or thinly sliced pork belly and bean sprout dish.
📝 Editor's Notes
If you have thick pork belly, this is an incredibly easy recipe to make moist suyuk in just 15 minutes using the microwave.
Without the hassle of boiling water in a pot, the microwave's steaming effect gently cooks it, allowing you to enjoy suyuk that's chewy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
It's especially perfect for cooking beginners to make without failure, ideal for weeknight dinners or unexpected guests.
It's a hearty and warm meal, or an excellent accompaniment to drinks.
🛒 Ingredient Tips
The key ingredient for this microwave suyuk is the pork belly slab.
Pork belly that is too thin tends to lose moisture and become dry when microwaved, so it's best to prepare a thick slab of pork belly, at least 2 cm (about 0.8 inches) thick.
Choose one with firm meat and a good balance of fat and lean meat for a more moist and delicious suyuk.
Select fresh green onions with plenty of green parts to help remove any gamey odors from the pork and add a fragrant aroma.
Be sure to add mirin (맛술), as it helps tenderize the meat and enhance its flavor.
🔄 Substitution Guide
If pork belly is unavailable, you can use pork shoulder or pork front leg.
However, pork shoulder has less fat than pork belly and might feel slightly drier, so it's best to reduce the cooking time slightly or add a bit more mirin for tenderness.
Pork front leg has a good fat-to-meat ratio and can be enjoyed similarly to pork belly, but it's important to choose a thicker cut rather than a very thin one.
If green onions are unavailable, you can substitute with half an onion or a few cloves of garlic; these help to remove the gamey smell of the meat.
Instead of mirin, you can use cooking sake (청주) or soju (소주); these are effective in removing gamey odors and tenderizing the meat.
🥘 Ingredients
👨🍳 Cooking Points
The most crucial points in this recipe are the scoring, wrapping, and resting time.
First, when scoring the pork belly, cut only about one-third of the meat's thickness.
Cutting too deep can cause the meat to fall apart during cooking, while cutting too shallow might prevent seasoning from penetrating well or cooking evenly.
Second, make sure to cover the dish tightly with two layers of plastic wrap and pierce 4-5 holes with chopsticks.
This prevents the wrap from bursting due to internal pressure and allows the pork to steam moistly.
Third, after microwaving, do not open the door and remember to rest the pork for 5 minutes.
This process allows the juices to spread evenly throughout the meat, resulting in even more tender and delicious suyuk.
Adjust the cooking time between 10 to 15 minutes depending on your microwave's wattage, but it is important not to exceed 15 minutes.
👨🍳 Directions
Prepare a thick slab of pork belly, at least 2 cm (about 0.8 inches) thick and weighing around 300g (about 10.6 oz).
Place the pork belly on a cutting board and make incisions at 1 cm (about 0.4 inches) intervals, cutting only about one-third of the way through the thickness of the meat.
Lightly season both sides of the pork belly by sprinkling evenly with salt and ground black pepper.
Drizzle mirin (cooking sake or soju can also be used) evenly over the pork belly.
Diagonally slice one stalk of green onion into 3-4 cm (about 1.2-1.6 inches) pieces and generously place them on top of the pork belly.
Place the prepared pork belly into a microwave-safe, heat-resistant dish.
Cover the dish tightly with two layers of plastic wrap, then pierce 4-5 holes in the plastic wrap with chopsticks or a toothpick.
Microwave for 10 minutes (if your microwave has lower wattage, you can cook for up to 15 minutes, but never exceed 15 minutes).
Without opening the microwave door, let it rest for 5 minutes, allowing the residual heat to cook it further and the juices to redistribute throughout the pork belly.
After 5 minutes, remove the pork belly. Lightly wipe away any oil accumulated at the bottom of the dish with a paper towel, then slice it thickly into 1 cm (about 0.4 inch) pieces.
💡 Tips
Pork belly that is too thin can dry out and become tough as it cooks. Use a thick slab of pork belly, at least 2 cm (about 0.8 inches) thick.
The incisions allow the seasoning to penetrate deeply and ensure even cooking. If cut too deep, the pork may fall apart during cooking, so make incisions only about one-third of the meat's thickness.
When microwaving, always use a microwave-safe, heat-resistant dish (such as glass or ceramic). Make sure to cover the dish tightly with two layers of plastic wrap to prevent it from bursting due to pressure, then pierce 4-5 ventilation holes.
It's important to ensure pork is cooked thoroughly. If, when sliced, the center is reddish or still bloody, heat it for another 30 seconds at a time until the juices run clear. Once cooked, let the pork cool slightly before refrigerating (leaving it at room temperature for too long can cause it to spoil easily).
📦 Storage & Reuse
Store leftover suyuk in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
To reheat, microwave or lightly pan-fry on low heat to restore its warm and moist texture.
For extra moisture when reheating, sprinkle a little water or drizzle some cooking sake (청주) over it.
Leftover suyuk can also be shredded and used as a topping for bibimbap (비빔밥) or added to kimchi jjigae (김치찌개) to enhance its flavor.
Freezing is not recommended as it can significantly alter the texture upon thawing.
🥢 Who This Is For
This microwave suyuk is highly recommended for single diners or newlywed couples due to its short cooking time and simple process.
It's a dish you can easily make whenever you crave suyuk, even on ordinary days.
For accompaniments, we recommend refreshing chive salad (부추 겉절이) or crunchy bean sprout salad (콩나물 무침).
It's also great served generously with ssam vegetables (wrap vegetables), and absolutely delicious with salted fermented shrimp (새우젓) or ssamjang (쌈장 - spicy dipping sauce).
It would be a perfect pairing with a glass of makgeolli (막걸리 - Korean rice wine).
🔥 Nutrition Info
Based on 1-2 servings (300g pork belly), the estimated calorie count for this microwave suyuk is approximately 900-1000 kcal, with about 45-50g of protein, 80-90g of fat, and a very small amount of carbohydrates (about 1-2g).
Pork is rich in high-quality protein and B vitamins (especially B1), which help with fatigue recovery and immune system enhancement.
It also contains minerals such as iron and zinc, which are good for preventing anemia.
However, due to its high fat content, consume in moderation, and pairing it with vegetables will make for a more balanced meal.
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